RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is now in 'advanced talks' to join Chelsea.The German striker has lit up the Bundesliga and the Champions League in 2019/20, with Liverpool knowingly in pursuit of the lightning-quick forward.However, the Premier League leaders have been reluctant to cough up the cash for the 24-year-old and it appears Chelsea have stepped in and taken pole-position.That's according to trusted German journalist Christian Falk of BILD and Sport Bild, who says Werner is set to sign a contract with the Blues until 2025, pocketing a salary of around €10m-per-year.The Blues will reportedly activate Werner's release clause, which is valued at around £49m. Falk tweeted to his 58,000 followers: "Werner & Chelsea is getting hot! According to BILD information, Werner should sign a contract with Chelsea until 2025, collecting more than 10 million euros per year."
Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol backed up Falk's info on social media, tweeting: "Chelsea now favourites to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. Werner would be happy to play for Chelsea. Final decision expected early next week. £49m release clause expires on 15 June."
It's certainly exciting news for Chelsea fans, with the club in desperate need of a top-level striker under the leadership of Frank Lampard.
Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud have delivered at times in 2019/20, but they have been nowhere close to matching the output of Werner at Leipzig this season.
The former Stuttgart striker has scored 31 times and assisted another 12 in his 40 games across all competitions.
It will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming days and whether Liverpool will play their hand and offer to match Chelsea's bid and pay Werner's release clause.
Jurgen Klopp is a known fan of the player, but Liverpool are reluctant to spend big money this summer due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
Plus when you've got Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as a front three, you can probably afford to be picky when signing reinforcements...